Health & Wellness

Articles

Cholesterol 101

We often hear about the negative effects of cholesterol, but did you know that without cholesterol, our brain and some organs would not grow and work properly? In addition to the liver producing cholesterol for the body, cholesterol is also found in some foods, such as meat, eggs, butter, cheese, and milk.
And back to the negative effects of cholesterol, too much cholesterol in the blood can clog the arteries that move blood through the body. People with high cholesterol may need to take medicine to lower the amounts of cholesterol that are found in the blood. Too much cholesterol...

5 Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Have you ever started a specific diet, met your weight loss goal, and then packed the pounds back on after you stopped the diet? You’re not alone. Diets are not meant for everyone. If you want to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight, keep these tips in mind:
Don’t skip breakfast. Breakfast gives you the energy you need to get you through the day. If you have ever skipped breakfast on a regular basis, you probably know that you will be starving by the time lunch rolls around, which means you usually eat more at lunchtime, right? People...

How to Plan for Healthier Breakfasts

Did you know that people who eat breakfast on a regular basis kick-start their metabolism, tend to eat fewer calories through the day, tend to make better food choices through the day, do better in school, and are more active?
When planning healthy breakfast options it’s important to keep these things in mind:
Any breakfast is better than no breakfast.
Plan ahead. Make sure your kitchen is stocked with a variety of foods.
Accept that, sometimes, eating-on-the-go is necessary.
Include protein and fiber to fuel your body in between meals.
Avoid sugary foods and drinks.
When making healthy breakfast plans,...

5 Reasons to Brown Bag

There are some people who pack their lunch every day. And then there are some people who eat out every day. If you fall into the latter group and you’re wanting to brown bag it more often, here are five reasons why you should pack your lunch.
Control. Do you find yourself eating less healthy foods because you’re limited with options near the office? When you pack your own lunch, you’re more in control of what you eat.
Energy. Don’t you hate it when you eat a big lunch and then get sleepy at 3:00pm? When you pack your own...

You May Want to Rethink the 5-Second Rule

How many times have you witnessed someone dropping a piece of food on the floor and quickly picking it up, saying, “It’s still edible because of the 5-second rule!”
The reality is that this rule should be ruled out. While it’s true that a just-mopped kitchen floor is cleaner than, say, the carpet in a living room, there’s also the fact that the mop itself is probably not squeaky clean and is harboring bacteria. And bacteria on the floor can attach to foods faster than Speedy Gonzalez. Foods with wet surfaces, like an orange segment, really pick up bacteria super...

Zinc 101

An essential mineral, zinc can be found naturally in some foods, in dietary supplements, and as an additive to some foods. And when it comes to the body, zinc serves several purposes. It helps with immune function, it helps with cell division, it helps maintain skin and mucosal membranes (which help heal wounds), and it is necessary for proper sense of smell and taste, just to name a few.
Most people get enough zinc in the foods they already consume, but a severe zinc deficiency can create problems such as slowed growth in children, skin and vision problems, loss of...

10 Ways to Use Coconut Oil

Coconut oil does it all. It is used in cooking, it is used as a cleaning agent, it is used for beauty, and so much more. And while coconut oil is high in saturated fat, that’s not stopping people from using it sparingly with cooking. Everything in moderation, right?
One interesting bit of information about coconut oil is that it gives HDL [good] cholesterol a boost. Home cooks are experimenting with coconut oil in baking, like using solid coconut oil instead of butter or vegetable shortening to make pie crust, and when making ethnic dishes, such as Thai dishes....

Meatless Monday: Open-Faced Lentil Sandwich

This dish is so delicious and nutritious you can eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Lentils are loaded with iron and B vitamins, and they’re high in fiber, which means you’ll feel full longer. Eat this dish for breakfast and you’ll be good until lunch. Cooked lentils are a great ingredient to have on hand for this easy-to-make sandwich.
Meatless Monday: Open-Faced Lentil Sandwich
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ of a small sweet onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 to 3 cups cooked brown lentils
½ teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons soy sauce
Black pepper, to taste...

Vitamins and Minerals for Optimal Health

Most of us know that the body needs vitamins and minerals for optimal health and that vitamins and minerals can be found in everyday foods, but do you know the difference between vitamins and minerals?
Vitamins are organic substances made by animals or plants and are either fat soluble or water soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) dissolve in fat and can be stored in the body. Water-soluble vitamins (C and B-complex vitamins) dissolve in water before the body can absorb them. Minerals are inorganic substances that come from the soil and water and are absorbed by plants...

In Season

Matters of the heart are always important, but especially so during the month of February. Not only is there Valentine's Day to think about, February is also American Heart Month. This is a good time to evaluate your food choices and the impact they may have on your heart. Fresh, in season fruits and vegetables are among the best choices you can make for your heart health.